Vehicular exterior mirror with actuator

ABSTRACT

A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head movably attached at a mounting base configured for mounting at a side of a vehicle. The mirror head includes a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element. An actuator is operable to move the mirror head relative to the mounting base between at least an extended position and a folded position. The actuator includes a first detent interface that is engaged to maintain the mirror head at the folded or extended position when the mirror head is moved via the actuator to that position. The actuator includes a second detent interface that is engaged to maintain the mirror head at the folded or extended position when the mirror head is manually moved to that position. The second detent interface is not engaged while the actuator moves the mirror head between the folded position and the extended position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a division of U.S. Pat. Application Ser. No.17/454,843, filed Nov. 15, 2021, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,634,076, which isa continuation of U.S. Pat. Application Ser. No. 16/639,602, filed Aug.17, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,173,843, which is a 371 national phasefiling of PCT Application No. PCT/IB2018/056228, filed Aug. 17, 2018,which claims the filing benefits of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/546,716, filed Aug. 17, 2017, which is hereby incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of exteriorrearview mirror assemblies for vehicles and, more particularly, to thefield of powerfold exterior rearview mirror assemblies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide an automotive exterior rearview mirror assemblythat includes a foldable mirror assembly, such as a powerfold mirrorwhere the mirror head is pivotable via an actuator between a drive oruse position and a folded or park position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a rearview mirror assembly (such as anexterior mirror assembly mounted at a side of an equipped vehicle) thatincludes a powerfold actuator system to pivot the mirror head of themirror assembly between a drive or use position and a folded or parkposition responsive to a user input. The powerfold actuator includes aprimary detent assembly that functions to retain the mirror head ateither the folded or drive position, and also includes a separatesecondary detent assembly that functions to retain the mirror head atthe drive position when the mirror head is manually pivoted from thefolded position to the drive position. During operation of the powerfoldactuator, the actuator functions to lift the mirror head relative to themounting base (at the vehicle) so that there are reduced forces andreduced friction at the cut line seal that is disposed between themirror head and the mounting base. When the mirror head is raised, anupper detent of the powerfold actuator is not raised, such that theraising of the mirror head is achieved without further compressing of aspring to reduce the power required from the motor of the actuator.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of thepresent invention will become apparent upon review of the followingspecification in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exterior rearview mirror assembly inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the exterior mirror assembly, with themirror head pivoted to an drive or use position;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the exterior mirror assembly, with themirror head pivoted to a folded or non-use position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an actuator of the exterior mirrorassembly of FIGS. 1-3 ;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the actuator;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the actuator;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the actuator, shown with the mirror headin the drive position;

FIG. 8 is another side elevation of the actuator, shown with the mirrorhead in the folded position;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the actuator, with the upper detentelement removed to show additional details.

FIGS. 10-10B are perspective views of an actuator of an exteriorrearview mirror assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 10C-10E are elevation views of the actuator of FIG. 10 ;

FIGS. 10F-10H are perspective views of the actuator of FIG. 10 ;

FIG. 11A is an exploded perspective view of an actuator with a basepost;

FIG. 11B is an exploded perspective view of an actuator with a base anda pivot tube;

FIG. 11C is a perspective view of a gear train of the actuator of FIG.10 ;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are perspective views of the actuator transitioningfrom the primary drive position/primary detent engagement to the parkposition;

FIGS. 13A and 13B are perspective views of an actuator transitioningfrom the park position to the primary drive position;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are perspective views of an actuator transitioningfrom the park position to the secondary drive position/secondary detentengagement;

FIG. 15A is a sectional view of the primary detent when the actuatorrotates from a primary drive position to a park position;

FIG. 15B is a sectional view of the secondary detent when the mirrorhead is manually folded from the park position to a secondary driveposition;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the secondary detent when the mirror headis manually folded from the primary drive position into a forwardposition or a rearward position;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the secondary detent when the mirror headis manually folded from the secondary drive position into a forwardposition or a rearward position;

FIGS. 18A and 18B are perspective views of a base post of the actuator;and

FIGS. 19A and 19B are perspective views of a base and pivot tube of theactuator.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depictedtherein, an exterior rearview mirror assembly 10 for a vehicle 11includes a mirror head 12 that includes a mirror reflective element 14received in and/or supported at or by a mirror shell or casing 16 of themirror head portion 12 (FIG. 1 ). The mirror head portion 12 includes amounting portion 12 a that is pivotally or movably mounted to a mountingarm or base or portion 18. The mirror assembly 10 comprises a powerfoldmirror (where the mirror head portion may be pivoted via an actuatorassembly or adjustment device), and may comprise a breakaway mirror(where the mirror head portion may be manually pivoted about themounting arm or base). The mounting arm or base 18 of mirror assembly 10is mounted at the side 11 a of a host or subject vehicle 11, with thereflective element 14 providing a rearward field of view along therespective side of the vehicle to the driver of the vehicle, asdiscussed below.

The mirror assembly comprises a powerfold mirror assembly that includesan actuator 20 that is operable to pivot the mirror head 12 (comprisingthe mirror casing 16 and reflective element 14) relative to the mountingarm or base 18. The actuator operates, responsive to a user input, topivot the mirror head 12 between a plurality of detent positions,including a user or drive position (FIG. 2 ) and a folded or parkposition (FIG. 3 ). The mirror head is also pivotable manually to eitherthe use or folded position. Optionally, the mirror head may also bepivoted to a fully forward position. A seal may be disposed along theinterface between the mounting portion 12 a of the mirror head 12 andthe mounting arm or base 18. The actuator may utilize aspects of theactuators described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,887,202 and 9,487,142, which arehereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the mirror actuator 20 comprises a pivotassembly that has a tube 22 that provides or defines a pivot axis forthe mirror head. A base or lower manual detent 24 and output gear orupper manual detent 26 are disposed at the bottom of the tube and arefixedly disposed at or attached at the mounting base 18. An actuatorhousing or bracket 28 is rotatably disposed at the tube and houses amotor 29 and is non-rotatably disposed or attached at the mirror head12. The tube 22 extends through the base 24, output gear 26 and housing28 and has a retainer 30 affixed at its upper end. As shown in FIG. 6 ,the retainer 30 is rigidly fastened to the tube 22 and the base 24 isrigidly fastened to the tube 22, such that the retainer, tube and baseare effectively a single member or element and provide axial androtational ground reference for all motions and forces.

The pivot assembly provides detents to retain the mirror head at the useposition or at the folded position. The output gear 26 and a lowersurface or portion of the housing 28 are configured to engage oneanother to retain the mirror head at the drive position (see FIG. 7 ),while an upper surface or portion of the housing 28 and an upper rampelement 32 are configured to engage one another to retain the mirrorhead at the folded position (see FIG. 8 ). A coil spring or othersuitable biasing or urging element 34 provides the primary load andexerts a downward force at the upper ramp element 32, which engages thehousing 28, which engages the output gear 26, which engages the base 24.The retainer 30 is non-rotatably keyed to the upper ramp element 32.Thus, during operation of the actuator, the actuator bracket or housing28 (and the motor 29 and mirror head) rotate about the pivot axis (orlongitudinal axis of the tube), while the output gear 26 and upper rampelement 32 (and tube 22 and retainer 30) remain fixed relative to themounting base 24.

With reference to FIG. 7 , when the mirror head is in the drive position(FIG. 2 ), the lower housing detent is engaged with the output geardetent to retain the mirror head in that position. The detents areconfigured such that there is a hard stop opposite the ramped surfacesto locate the mirror head at the drive position. Thus, when pivoting themirror head to the drive position, the motor 29 will rotate main gear35. The main gear 35 is engaged with output gear 26 and will rotate thehousing relative to the output gear until the hard stop is engaged,whereby the motor will stall or stop, with the mirror head retained atthe extended or drive position.

With reference to FIG. 8 , when the mirror head is pivoted to the foldedposition (FIG. 3 ), the upper ramp detent is engaged with the upperhousing detent to retain the mirror head in that position. In thatposition, the lower housing detent is movably engaged (i.e., not at adetent position) with an upper portion or surface of the output gear.

The ramped surfaces of the upper ramp detent, the upper housing detent,the lower housing detent and the output gear detent are configured suchthat, as the lower housing detent ramped surface slides along the outputgear detent ramped surface, the upper housing detent ramped surface alsoslides along the upper ramp detent ramped surface. Thus, as the housingis raised (as it is rotated toward the folded position and moves alongthe upper ramped surfaces of the output gear) relative to the base, theupper ramp detent moves along the upper ramped surfaces of the housing(and remains at generally the same level while the housing is raised),such that the coil spring does not compress as the mirror head ispivoted. The upper ramp detent thus provides force at the housing (viathe coil spring), while allowing the housing to lift while rotatingwithout compressing the coil spring, thus minimizing work for theactuator motor. The upper ramp detent is prevented from turning relativeto the tube via a spline connection with the retainer.

As the housing and mirror head are rotated toward the folded position,the housing 28 lifts in relation to the output gear 26 while turning,and such lifting lifts the mirror head and increases the gap between themirror head mounting portion and the mounting base 24 and thus reducesor limits or avoids pressure at the cut line seal (the seal that isdisposed between and at the interface of the mirror head mountingportion 12 a and the mounting base 18 and that follows the contour andfills the gap between the mirror head and the base) during pivotalmovement of the mirror head.

The actuator and pivot assembly also includes a secondary detentassembly or device 36 that provides detents for when the mirror head ismanually pivoted between the drive and folded positions. In theillustrated embodiment, and as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 9 (with FIG. 9having the upper ramp detent removed), the secondary detent componentsinclude an upper home detent 38 and a lower home detent 40 that aredisposed at the tube 22 and received through the housing 28 and outputgear 26. A wave spring or other suitable biasing or urging element 42 isdisposed at the bottom of the retainer 30 (with an optional washer 44)and provides force at the secondary (home) detent. The upper home detent38 is rotationally keyed to the base 24 and is urged (via the wavespring) toward the base so as to be bottomed out at the base (when thelower detents of the output gear are engaged with the detents of thebase, such as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 ), thus preventing engagement withthe lower home detent 40 when the mirror head and housing are in thenormal drive position or the normal folded position.

The lower home detent 40 rests on the output gear 26 and is rotationallykeyed to the housing 28. During normal power fold operation (when themotor 29 is actuated in either direction), the lower home detent 40rotates with the housing 28 but remains disengaged with the upper homedetent 38 since the output gear 26 is in the lower position (engagedwith the detents of the base). If the output gear 26 is disengaged fromthe base (such as via manual folding or pivoting), the output gear movesup the ramped detent surfaces of the base 24 and raises the housing 28and the lower home detent 40. The lower home detent thus is raised upand forced into engagement with the upper home detent 38. When themirror head is manually pivoted to the drive position, the detentsurfaces of the upper and lower home detents engage to retain the mirrorhead at the drive position. The secondary detent device 36 is thereforeengaged and provides holding torque whenever the primary detent isdisengaged and the mirror head is in the drive (home) position.

The retainer is fixed and the wave spring pushes down on upper homedetent, which is keyed to the base and bottoms out at the base. Thus,when the output gear is down and engaged with the base, the secondary orhome detents do not and cannot engage. When the output gear is raised(via manual pivoting of the mirror head), the upper and lower homedetents engage when the mirror head is pivoted to the drive position(and not in any other position). The secondary detent thus functions toretain the mirror head in the drive position. In such a situation (wherethe mirror head is folded rearward to the folded position under powerand then manually folded outward to the drive position), the normaldetent between the housing and the output gear is not lined up, so thesecondary detent functions to hold the mirror head at the driveposition. When later then under power to fold the mirror head, the motorwill rotate the housing and output gear together until the output geardetents align with the base detents and the output gear snaps intoposition, which disengages the secondary detent, whereby furtheroperation of the actuator in either direction will function in thenormal manner.

Thus, the present invention provides a mirror powerfold actuator thathas a secondary detent that only engages when the primary detentdisengages. The secondary detent is thus a separate and distinct detentfrom the primary detent. Different springs or biasing elements (such aselement 134, shown in FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B) or urging elements providethe forces to retain the respective detents in place.

Optionally, the mirror assembly may have a different dual detentconfiguration to provide enhanced control and lifting of the mirror headduring pivoting between the use or drive position and the park or foldedposition. For example, and with reference to FIGS. 10-10H, the mirrorassembly may provide a powerfold actuator 120 with enhanced performanceand capability (reduced noise, higher torque, lift and turn, doubledetent, and a larger pivot tube hole), having two detent interfaces thatbecome active at different times between primary and secondary detentstates. As shown in FIG. 10 , these interfaces are referred to as anupper detent interface and a lower detent interface. The upper detentinterface is between the output gear 126 and the upper detent part 130.The lower detent interface is between the lower housing 124 and the base122. The third interface of importance is referred to as the rampinterface, which is between the output gear 126 and the lower housing124.

The mirror actuator 120 comprises a pivot assembly that has a base post122 that has the pivot tube and base integrated together (FIG. 11A) or aseparate base 123A and pivot tube 123B (FIG. 11B) that are assembledtogether to provide the base and post structure. Optionally, the pivottube may be assembled with the flange at the top of the actuatorassembly. This configuration will allow easier assembly by compressingthe spring with the pivot tube before riveting/swedging below the base.The base post 122 provides or defines a pivot axis for the mirror head.A lower housing 124 and output gear 126 are disposed at the bottom ofthe base post 122 and are disposed at the mounting base 18. The lowerhousing 124 is rotatably disposed at the base post 122 and partiallyhouses a motor 129. The base post 122 extends through the lower housing124, output gear 126 and upper detent 130 and has an upper housing 132that encloses the base post 122 at its upper end. The upper detent 130is non-rotatably keyed with the base post 122 such that the upper detent130 is fixed relative to the base post 122. The upper housing 32, alongwith lower housing 124, houses motor 129 (see FIG. 11C).

The pivot assembly provides detents to retain the mirror head at the useposition or at the folded position. FIGS. 12A and 12B show the lowerhousing 124 riding up the lower detent ramps on the base 122 to provideabout 1.5 mm of mirror head lift when the actuator is electricallypowered and the motor 129 rotates about the output gear 126 via maingear 135. The actuator begins in the primary drive position (FIG. 12A)and the lower housing 124 rotates with respect to the base 122 andoutput gear 126 to achieve the park position (FIG. 12B). The lowerdetent ramps are designed to allow constant surface contact between thelower housing 124 and the base 122 while in contact. There is no springload on the lower housing as it climbs the ramps under normal electricfolding conditions. This is due to the lower end of the upper detentpart 130 bottoming out on the base 122, which alters the path of thespring load directly to the base post 122. FIGS. 13A and 13B show theactuator 120 returning to the primary drive position from the parkposition. The actuator 120 begins in the park position (FIG. 13A) and,when powered to pivot the mirror head toward the drive position, theactuator 120 finds the primary drive position by riding back down thelower detent ramps on the base post 122 and becoming cinched between theupper detent 130 and lower detent of the base post 122 (FIG. 13B). FIGS.14A and 14B show the actuator 120 moving from the park position to thesecondary detent drive position (via manual folding of the mirror head).The actuator 120 begins in the park position (FIG. 14A) and, when themirror head is manually pivoted toward the drive position, the lowerhousing 124 rotates with the output gear 126 with respect to the base122 and upper detent 130. The output gear 126 climbs the ramps of theupper detent 130, pushing the upper detent 130 away from the base 122.

The secondary detent assembly or device 136 functions when the mirror iselectrically folded into the park position and then manually folded backto the drive position (see FIGS. 14A and 14B). While both the upper andlower detents are active in the primary detent function (duringpowerfolding of the mirror head), only the lower detent interface isactive in the secondary detent function (when manually folding themirror head). To return to the primary detent, the output gear 126 mustbe driven until it finds the upper detent interface. While the outputgear 126 is searching for the upper detent 130 it climbs the rampslocated on the ramp interface.

As illustrated in FIG. 15A, the primary detent transitions from aprimary drive position to a park position during an electric powerfoldevent. As shown in schematic 150, the upper detent 130 and output gear126 remain in a fixed position in relation to the base post 122 as themotor 129 rotates the lower housing 124 about the drive gear. As thelower housing 124 rotates in schematic 152, the housing climbs the rampslocated on the base post 122. When returning to the drive position fromthe park position via electric folding, the motor 129 rotates thehousing 124 in the opposite direction until the lower housing 124descends back down the ramps located on the base post 122 (FIG. 12B). Asillustrated in FIG. 15B, a secondary detent is achieved when the mirrorhead is manually folded from the park position (schematic 154) to thedrive position (schematic 156). The lower housing 124 and the outputgear 126 rotate together (as the mirror head is manually pivoted) and asthe output gear 126 climbs the ramp located on the upper detent 130, theupper detent is displaced away from the output gear 126 while the lowerhousing 124 searches for the detent in the base post 122 to achieve thesecondary drive/detent position.

Referring now to FIG. 16 , the mirror head may be manually foldedforward (schematic 162) from the primary drive position (schematic 160)or manually folded rearward (schematic 164) from the primary driveposition. In both directions, the lower housing 124 and output gear 126rotate together to climb/descend ramps located at the upper detent 130and base post 122. As shown in FIG. 17 , the mirror head may also befolded to the forward position (schematic 172) and to the rearwardposition (schematic 174) from the secondary drive/detent position(schematic 170).

Optionally, and such as shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, the base post 122may be notched or keyed to fix the upper detent 130 in place in relationto the base post 122 (FIG. 18A). The base post 122 has helical detents(lower detents) to achieve uniform surface contact with the lowerhousing 124 (FIG. 18B). Referring now to FIGS. 19A and 19B, the separatebase 123A has a “no drop nub” feature 190 to keep the output gear 126from falling during electric folding (FIG. 19A). The base 123A also hashelical detents that keep the upper detent 130 from rotating andmaintains uniform surface contact with the upper detent (FIG. 19B).

Thus, the present invention provides a mirror powerfold actuator thathas a secondary detent that only engages when the primary detentdisengages. The secondary detent is thus a separate and distinct detentfrom the primary detent. A single spring or biasing element or urgingelement provides the forces to retain the respective detents in place.

During powerfold operation, the primary detents function to retain themirror head in either the use/drive position or the park position, andduring manual pivoting of the mirror head (forward or rearward relativeto the use/drive position), the secondary detents function to retain themirror head in either the use/drive position, the park position, or aforward pivoted position. When the secondary detents retain the mirrorhead, subsequent powerfolding of the mirror head will cause the mirrorhead to be retained by the primary detents.

The present invention also provides relief at the cut line seal duringpivoting of the mirror head. The upper ramp detent is loaded by the coilspring and provides pressure at the housing, which is held and urgedagainst the output gear. When in the drive position, the housing is at alower position and the cut line seal is compressed between the mirrorhead mounting portion and the mounting base. The housing, when rotatedtoward the folded position, lifts relative to the output gear andmounting base to increase the gap and release pressure at the cut lineseal. The mirror head thus lifts slightly to release pressure at theseal, so there are reduced forces at the seal during pivotal movement ofmirror head. The actuator of the present invention also allows for suchlifting of the housing and the mirror head without compressing the coilspring so that less work is required from the motor. This is done viathe aligned ramped surfaces so the housing moves up the ramp of theoutput gear while correspondingly moving up the ramp of the upperdetent.

Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments maybe carried out without departing from the principles of the presentinvention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of theappended claims as interpreted according to the principles of patentlaw.

1. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly, the vehicular exteriorrearview mirror assembly comprising: a mirror head movably attached at amounting base configured for mounting at a side of a vehicle equippedwith the vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly, wherein the mirrorhead comprises a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element; anactuator electrically operable to move the mirror head relative to themounting base, wherein, with the mounting base mounted at the side ofthe vehicle, the actuator, when electrically operated, moves the mirrorhead between at least an extended position, where the mirror head isextended outward from the side of the vehicle so that the mirrorreflective element is positioned to provide a rearward view at the sideof the vehicle to a driver of the vehicle, and a folded position, wherethe mirror head is moved inward from the extended position toward theside of the vehicle; wherein the actuator comprises (i) a base portionfixed relative to the mounting base, the base portion having an upperdetent surface at a lower end region of the base portion and a postextending from the lower end region, (ii) an output gear having an upperdetent surface and a lower detent surface and (iii) an attaching portionattached at the mirror head and having an upper detent surface and alower detent surface; wherein the actuator comprises an electricallypowered motor that is electrically operable to move the attachingportion relative to the base portion; wherein the actuator comprises afirst detent interface that is engaged to maintain the mirror head atthe folded position or at the extended position when the mirror head ismoved via the actuator to the folded position or to the extendedposition; wherein the actuator comprises a second detent interface thatis engaged to maintain the mirror head at the folded position or at theextended position when the mirror head is manually moved to the foldedposition or to the extended position; and wherein the second detentinterface is not engaged while the actuator moves the mirror headbetween the folded position and the extended position.
 2. The vehicularexterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the first detentinterface is not engaged when the mirror head is manually moved to thefolded position or to the extended position.
 3. The vehicular exteriorrearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrically poweredmotor is disposed in a housing portion of the actuator.
 4. The vehicularexterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the attachingportion is disposed between the output gear and an upper detent elementof the actuator.
 5. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly ofclaim 4, wherein, while the actuator moves the mirror head between thefolded position and the extended position, the lower detent surface ofthe attaching portion moves relative to the upper detent surface of theoutput gear.
 6. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim1, wherein, as the lower detent surface of the attaching portion movesrelative to the upper detent surface of the output gear, the attachingportion axially moves away from the output gear to axially move themirror head relative to the mounting base.
 7. The vehicular exteriorrearview mirror assembly of claim 6, wherein, while the lower detentsurface of the attaching portion moves relative to the upper detentsurface of the output gear, the upper detent surface of the attachingportion moves relative to a lower detent surface of an upper detentelement of the actuator, such that the upper detent element is notaxially moved with the attaching portion.
 8. The vehicular exteriorrearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein, while the mirror head ismanually moved, the lower detent surface of the output gear isdisengaged from the upper detent surface of the base portion.
 9. Thevehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein theattaching portion is disposed between the base portion and the outputgear.
 10. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 9,wherein the upper detent surface of the attaching portion engages thelower detent surface of the output gear, and wherein the upper detentsurface of the output gear engages a lower detent surface of an upperdetent element of the actuator, and wherein the lower detent surface ofthe attaching portion engages the upper detent surface of the baseportion.
 11. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim10, wherein, while the electrically powered motor is electricallypowered to move the mirror head between the folded position and theextended position, the electrically powered motor and the attachingportion move relative to the base portion and the lower detent surfaceof the attaching portion moves relative to the upper detent surface ofthe base portion, and wherein, while the lower detent surface of theattaching portion moves relative to the upper detent surface of the baseportion, the attaching portion moves upward from the base portion toaxially move the mirror head away from the mounting base.
 12. Thevehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 11, wherein, as thelower detent surface of the attaching portion moves relative to theupper detent surface of the base portion, the upper detent surface ofthe attaching portion moves relative to the lower detent surface of theoutput gear, such that the output gear is not axially moved with theattaching portion.
 13. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assemblyof claim 12, wherein the upper detent element is non-rotatably disposedat the base portion, and wherein the upper detent element is axiallymovable relative to the post.
 14. The vehicular exterior rearview mirrorassembly of claim 13, wherein the actuator comprises a biasing elementdisposed between the upper detent surface of the upper detent elementand an upper end region of the post, the biasing element urging theupper detent element axially toward the base portion.
 15. The vehicularexterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 10, wherein, while the mirrorhead is manually moved, the upper detent surface of the output gear isdisengaged from the lower detent surface of the upper detent element andthe lower detent surface of the attaching portion is disengaged from theupper detent surface of the base portion.
 16. The vehicular exteriorrearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the base portion comprisesa protrusion, wherein the protrusion supports the output gear at thebase portion when the actuator moves the mirror head.
 17. The vehicularexterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the output gear isnon-rotatable relative to the base portion when the first detentinterface is engaged, and wherein the output gear is rotatable relativeto the base portion when the second detent interface is engaged and thefirst detent interface is disengaged.
 18. The vehicular exteriorrearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the first detent interfacecomprises (i) the upper detent surface of the output gear partiallynesting with a lower detent surface of an upper detent element of theactuator and (ii) the lower detent surface of the attaching portionpartially nesting with the upper detent surface of the base portion. 19.The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 18, wherein thesecond detent interface comprises the lower detent surface of theattaching portion partially nesting with the upper detent surface of thebase portion.
 20. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly ofclaim 18, wherein the upper detent element is non-rotatably disposed atthe base portion, and wherein the upper detent element is axiallymovable relative to the post.
 21. The vehicular exterior rearview mirrorassembly of claim 20, wherein the actuator comprises a biasing elementdisposed between an upper detent surface of an upper detent element andan upper end region of the post, the biasing element urging the upperdetent element axially toward the base portion.
 22. The vehicularexterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein, during manualmoving of the mirror head relative to the mounting base, the attachingportion and the output gear move together.
 23. A vehicular exteriorrearview mirror assembly, the vehicular exterior rearview mirrorassembly comprising: a mirror head movably attached at a mounting baseconfigured for mounting at a side of a vehicle equipped with thevehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly, wherein the mirror headcomprises a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element; an actuatorelectrically operable to move the mirror head relative to the mountingbase, wherein, with the mounting base mounted at the side of thevehicle, the actuator, when electrically operated, moves the mirror headbetween at least an extended position, where the mirror head is extendedoutward from the side of the vehicle so that the mirror reflectiveelement is positioned to provide a rearward view at the side of thevehicle to a driver of the vehicle, and a folded position, where themirror head is moved inward from the extended position toward the sideof the vehicle; wherein the actuator comprises (i) a base portion fixedrelative to the mounting base, the base portion having an upper detentsurface at a lower end region of the base portion and a post extendingfrom the lower end region, (ii) an output gear having an upper detentsurface and a lower detent surface and (iii) an attaching portionattached at the mirror head and having an upper detent surface and alower detent surface; wherein the actuator comprises an electricallypowered motor that is electrically operable to move the attachingportion relative to the base portion; wherein the electrically poweredmotor is disposed in a housing portion of the actuator; wherein theactuator comprises a first detent interface that is engaged to maintainthe mirror head at the folded position or at the extended position whenthe mirror head is moved via the actuator to the folded position or tothe extended position; wherein the actuator comprises a second detentinterface that is engaged to maintain the mirror head at the foldedposition or at the extended position when the mirror head is manuallymoved to the folded position or to the extended position; wherein,during manual moving of the mirror head relative to the mounting base,the attaching portion and the output gear move together; wherein thesecond detent interface is not engaged while the actuator moves themirror head between the folded position and the extended position; andwherein the first detent interface is not engaged when the mirror headis manually moved to the folded position or to the extended position.24. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 23, whereinthe attaching portion is disposed between the output gear and an upperdetent element of the actuator.
 25. The vehicular exterior rearviewmirror assembly of claim 24, wherein, while the actuator moves themirror head between the folded position and the extended position, thelower detent surface of the attaching portion moves relative to theupper detent surface of the output gear.
 26. The vehicular exteriorrearview mirror assembly of claim 23, wherein, as the lower detentsurface of the attaching portion moves relative to the upper detentsurface of the output gear, the attaching portion axially moves awayfrom the output gear to axially move the mirror head relative to themounting base.
 27. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly ofclaim 26, wherein, while the lower detent surface of the attachingportion moves relative to the upper detent surface of the output gear,the upper detent surface of the attaching portion moves relative to alower detent surface of an upper detent element of the actuator, suchthat the upper detent element is not axially moved with the attachingportion.
 28. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim23, wherein, while the mirror head is manually moved, the lower detentsurface of the output gear is disengaged from the upper detent surfaceof the base portion.
 29. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assemblyof claim 23, wherein the attaching portion is disposed between the baseportion and the output gear.
 30. The vehicular exterior rearview mirrorassembly of claim 29, wherein the upper detent surface of the attachingportion engages the lower detent surface of the output gear, and whereinthe upper detent surface of the output gear engages a lower detentsurface of an upper detent element of the actuator, and wherein thelower detent surface of the attaching portion engages the upper detentsurface of the base portion.
 31. The vehicular exterior rearview mirrorassembly of claim 30, wherein, while the electrically powered motor iselectrically powered to move the mirror head between the folded positionand the extended position, the electrically powered motor and theattaching portion move relative to the base portion and the lower detentsurface of the attaching portion moves relative to the upper detentsurface of the base portion, and wherein, while the lower detent surfaceof the attaching portion moves relative to the upper detent surface ofthe base portion, the attaching portion moves upward from the baseportion to axially move the mirror head away from the mounting base. 32.The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 31, wherein, asthe lower detent surface of the attaching portion moves relative to theupper detent surface of the base portion, the upper detent surface ofthe attaching portion moves relative to the lower detent surface of theoutput gear, such that the output gear is not axially moved with theattaching portion.
 33. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assemblyof claim 32, wherein the upper detent element is non-rotatably disposedat the base portion, and wherein the upper detent element is axiallymovable relative to the post.
 34. The vehicular exterior rearview mirrorassembly of claim 33, wherein the actuator comprises a biasing elementdisposed between the upper detent surface of the upper detent elementand an upper end region of the post, the biasing element urging theupper detent element axially toward the base portion.
 35. The vehicularexterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 30, wherein, while the mirrorhead is manually moved, the upper detent surface of the output gear isdisengaged from the lower detent surface of the upper detent element andthe lower detent surface of the attaching portion is disengaged from theupper detent surface of the base portion.
 36. The vehicular exteriorrearview mirror assembly of claim 23, wherein the output gear isnon-rotatable relative to the base portion when the first detentinterface is engaged, and wherein the output gear is rotatable relativeto the base portion when the second detent interface is engaged and thefirst detent interface is disengaged.
 37. The vehicular exteriorrearview mirror assembly of claim 23, wherein the first detent interfacecomprises (i) the upper detent surface of the output gear partiallynesting with a lower detent surface of an upper detent element of theactuator and (ii) the lower detent surface of the attaching portionpartially nesting with the upper detent surface of the base portion. 38.The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 37, wherein thesecond detent interface comprises the lower detent surface of theattaching portion partially nesting with the upper detent surface of thebase portion.
 39. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly ofclaim 37, wherein the upper detent element is non-rotatably disposed atthe base portion, and wherein the upper detent element is axiallymovable relative to the post.
 40. The vehicular exterior rearview mirrorassembly of claim 39, wherein the actuator comprises a biasing elementdisposed between an upper detent surface of an upper detent element andan upper end region of the post, the biasing element urging the upperdetent element axially toward the base portion.
 41. A vehicular exteriorrearview mirror assembly, the vehicular exterior rearview mirrorassembly comprising: a mirror head movably attached at a mounting baseconfigured for mounting at a side of a vehicle equipped with thevehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly, wherein the mirror headcomprises a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element; an actuatorelectrically operable to move the mirror head relative to the mountingbase, wherein, with the mounting base mounted at the side of thevehicle, the actuator, when electrically operated, moves the mirror headbetween at least an extended position, where the mirror head is extendedoutward from the side of the vehicle so that the mirror reflectiveelement is positioned to provide a rearward view at the side of thevehicle to a driver of the vehicle, and a folded position, where themirror head is moved inward from the extended position toward the sideof the vehicle; wherein the actuator comprises (i) a base portion fixedrelative to the mounting base, the base portion having an upper detentsurface at a lower end region of the base portion and a post extendingfrom the lower end region, (ii) an output gear having an upper detentsurface and a lower detent surface and (iii) an attaching portionattached at the mirror head and having an upper detent surface and alower detent surface; wherein the actuator comprises an electricallypowered motor that is electrically operable to move the attachingportion relative to the base portion; wherein the actuator comprises afirst detent interface that is engaged to maintain the mirror head atthe folded position or at the extended position when the mirror head ismoved via the actuator to the folded position or to the extendedposition; wherein the actuator comprises a second detent interface thatis engaged to maintain the mirror head at the folded position or at theextended position when the mirror head is manually moved to the foldedposition or to the extended position; wherein the second detentinterface is not engaged while the actuator moves the mirror headbetween the folded position and the extended position; wherein, whilethe mirror head is manually moved, the lower detent surface of theoutput gear is disengaged from the upper detent surface of the baseportion; wherein, during manual moving of the mirror head relative tothe mounting base, the attaching portion and the output gear movetogether; and wherein the actuator comprises a biasing element disposedbetween an upper detent surface of an upper detent element and an upperend region of the post, the biasing element urging the upper detentelement axially toward the base portion.
 42. The vehicular exteriorrearview mirror assembly of claim 41, wherein the first detent interfaceis not engaged when the mirror head is manually moved to the foldedposition or to the extended position.
 43. The vehicular exteriorrearview mirror assembly of claim 41, wherein the electrically poweredmotor is disposed in a housing portion of the actuator.
 44. Thevehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 41, wherein theattaching portion is disposed between the output gear and an upperdetent element of the actuator.
 45. The vehicular exterior rearviewmirror assembly of claim 44, wherein, while the actuator moves themirror head between the folded position and the extended position, thelower detent surface of the attaching portion moves relative to theupper detent surface of the output gear.
 46. The vehicular exteriorrearview mirror assembly of claim 41, wherein, as the lower detentsurface of the attaching portion moves relative to the upper detentsurface of the output gear, the attaching portion axially moves awayfrom the output gear to axially move the mirror head relative to themounting base.
 47. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly ofclaim 46, wherein, while the lower detent surface of the attachingportion moves relative to the upper detent surface of the output gear,the upper detent surface of the attaching portion moves relative to alower detent surface of the upper detent element, such that the upperdetent element is not axially moved with the attaching portion.
 48. Thevehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 41, wherein, whilethe mirror head is manually moved, the lower detent surface of theoutput gear is disengaged from the upper detent surface of the baseportion.
 49. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim41, wherein the attaching portion is disposed between the base portionand the output gear.
 50. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assemblyof claim 49, wherein the upper detent surface of the attaching portionengages the lower detent surface of the output gear, and wherein theupper detent surface of the output gear engages a lower detent surfaceof the upper detent element, and wherein the lower detent surface of theattaching portion engages the upper detent surface of the base portion.51. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 41, whereinthe output gear is non-rotatable relative to the base portion when thefirst detent interface is engaged, and wherein the output gear isrotatable relative to the base portion when the second detent interfaceis engaged and the first detent interface is disengaged.
 52. Thevehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 41, wherein thefirst detent interface comprises (i) the upper detent surface of theoutput gear partially nesting with a lower detent surface of the upperdetent element and (ii) the lower detent surface of the attachingportion partially nesting with the upper detent surface of the baseportion.
 53. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim52, wherein the second detent interface comprises the lower detentsurface of the attaching portion partially nesting with the upper detentsurface of the base portion.
 54. The vehicular exterior rearview mirrorassembly of claim 52, wherein the upper detent element is non-rotatablydisposed at the base portion, and wherein the upper detent element isaxially movable relative to the post.